Activities in Madrid: let the adventure begin

1. From Sol to Cibeles: a trip through Madrid’s most iconic corners

2. Museums in Madrid to suit all tastes

When thinking of Madrid attractions, museums are always at the top of the list: Madrid is a very proud city when it comes to museums. The capital boasts some of the best museums in the world. The most important ones are the Museo Nacional del Prado, the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía and the Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza. These three museums make up the so-called Art Triangle and reign over the Paseo del Prado. Our advice is to visit in the afternoon since admission is free during certain hours. Don’t forget to check their websites for more information.

There are also several small local galleries for art lovers on San Pedro and Alameda streets. Modern art lovers can enjoy enriching collections at the Museo Sorolla or the nearby Museo Lázaro Galdeano. Along the way, you may come across a few surprises at Andén 0 in Chamberí, where you will learn about the history of the Madrid Metro from its beginnings to the present day. Less well known is the Fundación Canal, in Plaza de Castilla, created to raise environmental awareness and which offers visitors a varied agenda of exhibitions and musical events, as well as interactive workshops for the whole family. 

Besides, who said learning wasn't fun? Check out the collection of prehistoric skeletons at the National Museum of Natural Sciences or be amazed by one of Europe's best collections of ancient tools and artifacts at the renovated National Archaeological Museum. You can also take a selfie with your idol at the Wax Museum or discover the fascinating world of locomotion at the Railway Museum, not to mention making a visit to outer space at the Madrid Planetarium.

3. Shopping in Madrid

Spain’s capital city has become one of Europe’s hottest shopping destinations. Gran Vía, probably Madrid’s most famous street, is essential. Some call it the Madrilenian Broadway, with a great environment at any time of day and with an endless array of stores from the world’s most recognized brands, restaurants, and theaters. Along with the adjoining pedestrianized Calle Fuencarral to cater to most needs, especially when it comes to fashion. But there are also numerous small boutiques around with Arbol Shop, run by Ricardo Chalar – offering local and international, smart-casual style on Calle Barquillo - worthy of a special mention.

In the Nuevos Ministerios area you will find the popular Spanish department store El Corte Inglés. Here you will find a full range of top brand products and even the possibility of tax-free shopping. The gourmet floor of this department store is a real paradise for foodies. A stop that is well worth it. When you have finished your shopping, you can continue strolling along Orense Street where you will find the most recognized fashion stores.

But the tour does not end there. It is essential to visit the Salamanca neighborhood, with streets full of numerous boutiques and exclusive spaces of international designers. If you do not have much time, the Golden Mile of Madrid has a perfect showcase in the stretch that runs along Calle Serrano across the Plaza de Colón. Be sure to stop at the historic and charming ABC Serrano shopping center.

One of the best on any given Sunday is to pop down to El Rastro, a bustling street market beside La Latina metro station, with a variety of antique items including lighting, furniture, unique clothing, books, and plants.

4.Parks and riverbank activities in Madrid

The best way to recharge your lungs is to enjoy the green spaces in Madrid. Try taking a walk through Retiro Park. You can get off at Atocha station and take a leisurely stroll until you reach the entrance. It has a famous Great Pond where kings used to go on boat rides and nowadays still receives visitors from all over the world who want to relax reading a book aboard a boat. But the Palacio de Cristal is perhaps the park’s main star: its glass structure facing a pond and surrounded by lush vegetation is a dreamlike sight.

The Retiro complex, together with the Paseo del Prado and other spectacular buildings such as the City Hall, the Astronomical Observatory, the Bank of Spain or the Casa de America, form the so-called Landscape of Light, a World Heritage Site since 2021.

The Temple of Debod is another oasis of peace in the center of Madrid, a spectacular Egyptian temple from the second century BC and one of the best spots in the city where to contemplate the sunset. The Berlin Park features parks that are perfect for jogging, while its fountains and small grassy hills give you the opportunity to rest and enjoy the Spanish sun and the sound of the water fountains. Come and admire the fragments of the Berlin Wall, the authentic pieces of history that give the park its name.

Madrid Río is one of the best attractions in Madrid for the entire family: it is a renaturalized enclave that runs along the Manzanares basin and where you can enjoy the fauna and its 17 playgrounds made of sustainable materials.

The large offer of green areas in Madrid is completed with the 470-hectare Valdebebas-Felipe VI Forest Park, with magical areas such as the labyrinth and the arboretum; the Juan Carlos I Park, with its characteristic outdoor sculptures and which is ideal for skating or cycling; and the Gavia Park, with numerous water elements, climbing and parkour areas and a hill made of recycled materials.

Here are some more options if you are travelling to Madrid with your kids: the Parque de Atracciones de Madrid (near the Batán station, on line 10 of the metro, and reachable through the bus lines 33, 55 or 65) and Parque Warner Madrid (reach it with bus lines 412 or 413) are two exhilarating amusement parks so if you have fans of roller coasters in your group be sure to head there on a Saturday or Sunday.

Sports fans have the opportunity of visiting the world's most successful football club at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, home of Real Madrid, located just a 5-minute walk from the NH Collection Madrid Eurobuilding hotel. If you're looking for a team souvenir, the official club store is across the street.

5.Eating out in Madrid

6.Madrid’s musical scene: jazz to flamenco

One of the unique activities you can do in Madrid is to delve into its musical scene. Café Central is a reference point in Madrid for jazz lovers, which is why we recommend reserving a place to see one of the new performers each week. We can also help with tickets to the Teatro Real for their wide variety of fine operas and ballets. 

But, of course, one of the main things to do in Madrid is getting acquainted with the quintessential Spanish music experience: flamenco. The Corral de la Morería, the most recognized ‘tablao’, dating back to 1956 and attracting the best performers in the business, and Torre Bermejas, are both located in the center of Madrid. A totally unforgettable experience, a gastromusical delight for the senses. But the day does not end here: you can continue enjoying the Madrid nightlife, dance until late or have a cocktail at Opium Madrid, without forgetting about the array of bars and nightclubs in the Torre Europa area.

For a musical plan away from the busy center I would recommend visiting the Olivar de Castillejo Foundation, an ecological paradise where, it is said, Napoleon camped with his troops. Distinguished intellectuals of the early 20th century, such as the father of modern neuroscience Ramón y Cajal or the philosopher and author Miguel de Unamuno, used to meet there, while today the olive garden is used for jazz and classical music concerts.

7. Day trips from Madrid: Toledo, Segovia, Ávila, or El Escorial

8. The business world of Madrid

Given that Madrid is Spain’s capital city and one of the largest in Europe, it makes sense that the headquarters of Spain’s most important international companies such as Telefónica, Repsol, and El Corte Ingés, as well as organizations such as the World Tourism Organization and the International Organization of Securities Commissions are located here.

The Campo de las Naciones is home to Madrid’s greatest center for fairs, congresses, and conventions – IFEMA, which hosts international fairs such as FITUR or SIMO; and the Palacio Municipal de Congresos (Municipal Conference Centre), which has witnessed events as important as NATO summits, or the inauguration of the euro as the European currency.

9.Getting around the city

Whether taking the picturesque train journey out of the capital or using the interconnecting bus and metro systems within it, Madrid’s public transport network is the envy of many major cities. Madrid offers visitors the option of the Madrid Card, with varying rates, with activities, discounts, and special offers for visitors.

If you don’t have a lot of time and you prefer an express tour of the city, pick up a bike through BiciMad, Madrid’s public bicycle system – an environmentally-friendly way of discovering the capital city, thanks to its hourly rental fees.

The Bus City Tour is one of the best options to get to know the main tourist sites of Madrid. If you visit Madrid at Christmas time, the "Navibus" will take you on a magical tour through the city’s impressive Christmas lighting.

10. Secrets in the metro stations

The Madrid stations also have secrets hidden within. Some of them are more than merely transport stations and are home to some of the most famous attractions in Madrid. For example, the Atocha Station is a tropical garden and a sanctuary for exotic turtles. The Príncipe Pío Station is home to a small museum of prehistoric remains. The Chamartín Station, which is newer, is the gateway to the business world, and the best option for accessing the city’s great financial districts: the Cuatro Torres Business Area (CTBA), AZCA, and the M-30 Financial District.

All of these stations also have direct access to the different transportation options available: underground railway, buses, and Renfe (railway).

With this guide you already know about the best activities in Madrid to exploit much of its potential. Dare to discover one of the great European capitals and you won't regret it!

About Juan José González Sánchez

Hello. As well as working with my colleagues, I love dealing with our guests which improves my knowledge of the world, and how other cultures live. I find it rewarding as I am able to turn a person’s stay into a great experience, and because I am involved in most of the hotel processes, I play an important part while developing my own personal skills. In possibly the most active role in the industry, it is never monotonous, and in the NH Collection Palacio del Tepa we have old archaeological remains on show in the reception area, which is my favorite aspect. I believe this is unique to our hotel and speaks volumes about the history of the building.